Following a rigorous international competition, spanning 6 continents and 132 different countries, Danish architectural firm 3XN came out on top and has officially won the bid to design the University of New South Wales (UNSW) new Multipurpose Building. This project will have a focus on resilience and environmental sustainability according to the architects that designed it. The building will also emphasize healthy indoor environments with carefully chosen materials, passive cooling, and ample daylighting. This is to make it feel more ambient whilst following the guidelines and plans to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. 

Given the building’s proximity to a planned light rail station, the project will include a large plaza and green space to accommodate the predicted increase of pedestrian traffic. Inside, the building will include six distinct teaching and learning environments, common student facilities, event, and exhibition space, workplaces, supporting and ancillary facilities and additional amenities. The use of solar panels and other passive solar strategies, the design will aim to minimize the building’s energy use, water use, and maintenance costs. This could prove to be a huge innovative step towards being both financially viable and environmentally sustainable. 

The UNSW Multipurpose Building marks the first Australian educational facility project for 3XN, which is continually expanding its portfolio and profile all around the world. Conceived as the heart of the UNSW campus, the building design combines a tower element with horizontal massing to create an L-shaped volume that’s made all the more distinctive by a staggered facade.

“Our concept for this building is really special in that it offers a new learning environment for interdisciplinary collaboration and inspiration,” Stig Vesterager Gothelf, Architect MAA and Partner in Charge at 3XN in Copenhagen, said in a project statement. “Students will be able to observe and learn from each other in new ways, thanks to the open design concept used throughout.”

Hopefully, this new project brings life to a struggling country crippled by the ongoing wildfires. The project deserves the utmost importance and needs to be maintained to the highest quality to ensure that all parties are happy with the outcomes. 

Source: inhabitat.com